April election will decide next at-large council member

Councilwoman declares early

St. Charles Parish voters will head to the polls on April 5 to elect a new representative for the at-large Division B seat following the resignation of former Councilman Clayton “Snookie” Faucheux.

Faucheux resigned after a promotion forced his relocation to north Louisiana. Mary Tastet, of Luling, was appointed to the post until a new representative is chosen.

This is Tastet’s second stint as a temporary replacement. She filled in after her husband, Shelley, resigned late last year due to health reasons.

Councilwoman Julia Fisher-Perrier, who currently serves District 7, has already thrown her hat into the ring for the at-large seat. Though the election is parishwide, the at-large council member must live on the West Bank.

Fisher-Perrier said she is running for the seat in an attempt to help unify the West Bank as the area tackles several flood protection projects. After more than two decades, construction is set to begin soon on the Willowridge Levee in Luling.

“We have made significant progress the past few weeks, but must continue to move ahead as a unified group. Funding and approval are very contingent upon a unified plan,” she said. “I feel that as a current council member, I see first hand what problems we face but as the at-large representative I can help with the concerns and needs of the entire West Bank.”

Fisher-Perrier said that the parish administration and all parties involved in levee planning have made great strides, but she wants to make sure that momentum is not slowed due to Faucheux’s resignation.

“We must function as a cohesive unit to be successful in our efforts,” Fisher-Perrier said. “One person cannot conquer the battle that we have ahead of us, but we must have one voice. I plan to be part of that voice and represent our West Bank.”

The Parish Council had to call a special election because more than a year remains on Faucheux’s term, which will expire on 2015.